Vibrational heads and assemblies and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

A vibrational head for vibrational drilling utilising a tunable hydraulic supply to each end of a shuttle in a housing from which the vibrational output is taken. Valving is by a rotary valve system into and out of the chamber. The system with a drive in/drive out capability enables easy restart and effective operation.

This is a continuation-in-part of PCT/NZ2004/000128 and PCT/NZ2005/000047 filed 18 Jun. 2004 and 17 Mar. 2005, respectively, and published in English.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vibrational apparatus.

The present invention relates to vibration generation (which may or may not generate sound) as might be useful, inter alia, in vibrational drilling. The invention relates to related apparatus, methods, systems and procedures.

The present invention relates to vibrational apparatus capable of providing a vibrational output for any one of a diverse range of purposes (e.g whether for the purpose of vibrating a drill string, a hopper, a powder feed line, a conveyor, or the like).

BACKGROUND

There is frequently a need to provide vibration.

Examples of use of vibration includes separation procedures reliant on the buoyancy of particulate materials in amongst other particulate materials, stripping of sand from a cast item, ground or other compaction, pile driving and drilling (including directional and/or rotary drilling).

Usually vibration is generated reliant upon the spinning of an eccentric weight or counter rotating weights. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,480 which discloses an orbital vibrator. Such orbiting mass oscillators may employ orbiting rollers which are rotatably driven around the inner race wall of a housing, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,328 to Bodine, or an unbalanced rotor, the output of which is coupled to a drill bit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,425 to Bodine.

Other methods of creating and utilising sonic energy for application to a mandrel are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,884 (Bodine), U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,263 (Bodine), U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,299 (Bodine), U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,637 (Bodine); U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,170 (Barrow) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,169 (Barrow) and WO01/83933 (Bar-Cohen).

Japanese Patent Specification 57-179407 of Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd discloses a pile hammer employing a fluid actuator to operate in accordance to the resonance of the pile for the inherent frequency of the soil by providing a relief valve and a bypass circuit. Amplitudes of movement beyond those purely attributable to the liquid volumes are stated as being obtainable.

Another device that uses hydraulic fluid to create vibratory impact is shown in Australian Patent 479534 (A/S Moelven Brug) (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,694).

A preferred use of interest to ourselves for vibrational apparatus, but not one to which the vibrational apparatus needs be restricted, is in support of down hole drilling or boring equipment. Other uses include those hereinafter discussed.

A variety of different prior art procedures have been disclosed including our own patent specifications reliant upon down hole directional drilling apparatus capable of being controlled through the drill string. It is advanced and/or rotated from the prime mover above ground or in an excavated region of the ground.

In some applications however there is a preference to subject the drill string and the drill head to rapid vibrations thereby allowing the movement through the ground by breaking up encountered rock structures and/or compacting the surrounds thereby reducing the materials to be removed from down hole. Such procedures, whether reliant on resonance within the drill string or not, are referred to as vibrational drilling or boring.

Sonic drilling methods and apparatus are disclosed, inter alia, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,299, 4,548,281 and 5,417,290 which are herein incorporated by reference.

Sonic drilling is accomplished by vibrating a drill string to produce compressive and expansive waves in the drill string. The vibrations are induced in a longitudinal direction of the drill string and the drill string is preferably vibrated at a resonant frequency. The resonant frequency is dependent upon a number of factors including the length of the drill string.

The vibrational forces on the drill string causes the drill string to contract and expand in the longitudinal direction. The vibrational forces at the bottom of the drill string shear, displace and/or otherwise fracture apart the soil and/or rock particles thereby cutting through the formation.

It has also been disclosed in the art that drilling systems which employ cycloidal sonic energy as a method of drilling cause a highly effective action on the bottom and particularly the adjacent side walls of the bottom portion of a well bore by virtue of the cycloidal drilling action.

The present invention recognises an advantage is derivable in the area of vibrational drilling where it is possible to commence the generation of the vibrational head whilst in its operative connection (directly or indirectly) with the drill string. For many prior art forms of sonic or other vibrational head re-starts are difficult owing to the need to retract the drill string from against a rock face and other structure that might be binding the drill string as a whole.

Thus many vibrational apparatus rely upon the rotation of an eccentric. Others rely on pneumatics and/or hydraulics in order to reciprocate a piston which provides a direct output of the vibrational output. Such structures however, whilst disclosed for many end uses, have a downside in that where the device to which the output piston is attached has itself stalled there is a difficulty in ensuring a recommencement of the vibrational output as a consequence of the piston itself refusing to move relative to its cylinder or the equivalent.

The present invention recognises a significant advantage to be derived from the vibrational commencement point of view and/or tuning point of view irrespective of how the apparatus is mounted. This arises from the fact that we have determined that a shuttle without a direct output to the apparatus to be vibrated can itself be sufficient without impacting solid to solid (whether in conjunction with hydraulic and/or pneumatics or not) to provide the requisite output from the containment structure of a shuttle i.e one end complement of a shuttle or both such end complements of the shuttle. It is to this in one aspect therefore that the present invention is directed to at least provide the public with the useful choice.

It is an alternative or another therefore an object of one or some embodiments of the present invention to provide a vibrational head assembly and/or a vibrational head for such assembly which will provide the option of start-up without a need for retraction in such circumstances and/or separation of the vibrational head in the drill string.

It is an alternative or another object of one or some aspects of the present invention to provide a vibrational head assembly and/or vibrational head for such an assembly which enables the generation of vibrations (optionally including sonic vibrations) into a structure without a requirement for tuning to a resonant frequency of the structure for it to be vibrative. In some aspects of the present invention is envisaged that start-up can commence without striving for resonance and/or without a need for resonance being achieved notwithstanding in some embodiments of the present invention such resonance can still be achievable by adjustment of control parameters as the vibrational head assembly is being used.

In one or some other embodiments of the present invention, it is an object to provide a vibrational head and/or a vibrational head assembly not reliant upon the rotation of eccentrics but which imparts a useful vibration output that can be used in many situations or which at least provides the public with a useful choice (sonic vibrations alone generally do not develop enough energy to efficiently drill rock).

It is an alternative or another object of one or some other embodiments of the present invention to provide constructions of a fluid driven vibration head for a vibration head assembly which confers some measure of isolation of key components from the affect of excessive vibration and/or by omission of a component or components avoids difficulty from any such vibration.

It is an alternative or another object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a vibration head and/or related vibration head assembly reliant upon separate fluid feeds, one for imparting the vibration and at least one for controlling, other input parameters e.g. amplitude, frequency, the valving, etc.

It is an alternative or another object of one or more other embodiments of the present invention to provide a vibration head and/or vibration head assembly which has a fluid retrieval system that takes the fluid to ambient or near ambient pressures.

It is an alternative or another object of one or more other embodiments of the present invention to provide vibration head support arrangements and/or buffers and/or linkages which provide some freedom(s) of movement between at least part of the vibration head and a supporting frame yet allows some relativity of movement therebetween.

The present invention is also directed to vibrational apparatus with a drive in and a drive out capability (owing to a driven shuttle from which vibrational output is not directly taken) and to the related methods of operation and use which will at least provide a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is adapted to provide a significant jackhammer effect which allows the device to rapidly penetrate rock formations.

The present invention is directed to vibrational apparatus able to provide a drive in and drive out in use for a connected drill string owing to reliance on a shuttle not directly outputting to the drill string.

The present invention in another aspect consists in vibrational apparatus capable of providing a vibrational output, said apparatus comprising or including

a shuttle having first and second ends,

a first complementary structure associating with the first end of said shuttle, and

a second complementary structure associating with the second end of said shuttle,

wherein there is a drive or drives to drive the shuttle alternately in each shuttling direction so that, in one direction, the first end moves away from the second complementary structure and, in the other driven shuttle direction, the second end moves away from the first complementary structure,

and wherein the output of the vibration is from one or other, or both, of said complementary structures and not directly from the shuttle itself.

Preferably said first and second complementary structures are fixed relative to each other insofar as distance is concerned.

Preferably the drive(s) of the shuttle in at least one direction, and preferably both directions, is selected from any of the forms hereinafter discussed whether it is by virtue of a direct mechanical drive through pivot links, a magnetic drive, a hydraulic drive, a pneumatic drive, a combustive drive or any alternative or combination thereof.

Preferably the drive type for the shuttle in each of its directions is the same but, in some less preferred forms of the present invention, a hybrid arrangement can be used.

Preferably the shuttling is without solid to solid high impact or impact contact.

Preferably said shuttle co-acts at least at one end with its complementary structure so as to provide a cushioning affect, e.g. by squeezing a fluid. Alternatively that can be at both ends. One or both ends of the shuttle (despite any guiding contact it may already have) can be adapted to contact part of the complementary structure only at the end of its shuttling travel or to contact some material interposed between that end of the shuttle and the complementary structure.

Preferably the vibrational output is from one of the complementary structures.

Preferably there is reliance upon the provision of an externally pressurised fluid as the sole means of empowerment of shuttle movement by being introduced so as to pressurise without further event between a complementary structure and said shuttle.

In another aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for generating a vibrational (e.g. non sonic or sonic) output, said apparatus comprising or including

a shuttle,

a first complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a first pressurisable chamber,

a second complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a second pressurisable chamber,

a first valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the first pressurisable chamber,

a second valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the second pressurisable chamber,

one or more supply (supplies) of pressurisable fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, to the shuttle whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or not allow fluid entry to the respective chamber,

one or more outtake (outtakes) of fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or disallow fluid egress from the respective chamber;

wherein the valving arrangements and shuttle movement relative to the complementary member(s) is such that as the first valving arrangement allows fluid entry to the first chamber thereby to expand both the first chamber and volume of fluid therein, the second valving arrangement allows fluid egress from the second chamber thereby to allow both compression of both the second chamber and the volume of fluid therein, and so forth in an alternating shuttle moving manner,

and wherein the output is (directly or indirectly) from one or other (or both) complementary member(s) rather than the shuttle.

Optionally the timing provided by the valving arrangements can allow some overlap of supply or exhaust flows between the respective chambers.

The “shuttle” in some embodiments may be perceived as substantially static yet moving relative to the other componentry. The opposite may also be the case as are many hybrids of the two.

Accordingly “shuttle” as used herein throughout should be understood as shuttling relative to other aspects of the assembly.

In another aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for generating a vibrational output, said apparatus comprising or including

a shuttle,

a first complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a first pressurisable chamber,

a second complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a second pressurisable chamber,

a first valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the first pressurisable chamber,

a second valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the second pressurisable chamber,

one or more supply (supplies) of pressurisable fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, to the shuttle whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or not allow fluid entry to the respective chamber,

one or more outtake (outtakes) of fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or disallow fluid egress from the respective chamber;

wherein the valving arrangements and shuttle movement relative to the complementary member(s) is such that as the first valving arrangement allows fluid entry to the first chamber thereby to expand both the first chamber and volume of fluid therein, the second valving arrangement allows fluid egress from the second chamber thereby to allow both compression of both the second chamber and the volume of fluid therein, and so forth in an alternating shuttle moving manner,

and wherein one, some or all of the following features are present:

-   -   (a) the first and second complementary members and shuttle         relate to each other on the same axis,     -   (b) the output is (directly or indirectly) from one or other (or         both) complementary member(s) rather than the shuttle,     -   (c) the vibrational head when used for vibrational drilling (or         some equivalent) has the shuttle independent of the drill string         or equivalent means to be vibrated),     -   (d) there is no drill rod nor rod extension through the shuttle         or vibrational head (thereby to enable, if desired, multiple         vibrational heads to be used in delivering power to a drill         string or other means to be subjected to vibration),     -   (e) the first and second complementary members are pistons or         include pistons,     -   (f) the first and second complementary members may include         pistons provided with circumferential or peripheral grooves but         may or may not carrying piston rings and/or seals,     -   (g) the valving arrangement in each instance involves a rotary         valve member having ports to open or close a fixed port or fixed         ports to the chamber,     -   (h) each (or a common) valving arrangement includes a rotary         valve member which includes an axial passageway to allow fluid         outtake or supply (preferably outtake),     -   (i) each valving arrangement includes a rotary valving member,         such rotary valving members being operated on a common         rotational axis and out of phase one with the other,     -   (j) each valving arrangement is driven independently of the         fluid supply and fluid outtake,     -   (k) it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the         shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a         control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the         pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from         the valving arrangement,     -   (l) the valving arrangement is proximate to the chamber thereby         to optimise to a minimal distance between valving by the valving         arrangement and the action of fluid being introduced into the         proximate chamber, (i.e. to enable a shorter time for the shock         wave of the input fluid to energise the piston and/or piston         (preferably to enable operation at higher frequency when         desired, to enable resonance at shorter stroke or amplitude, to         provide higher efficiency and/or provide greater flexibility and         versatility)),     -   (m) the outtake of fluid from a chamber is not used to power the         movement of the shuttle,     -   (n) the outtakes of fluid is (are) to substantially ambient         pressures prior to, if desired, such fluid being made available         (e.g. by pumping) for a return to the vibrational head,     -   (o) the fluid is primarily a liquid but may include some         entrained gas (e.g. air) so as to confer some cushioning effect         in the chamber,     -   (p) the shuttle can be caused to move even if there is no         movement of one or other or both of said first and second         complementary means e.g. as is the case if attached to a bound         drill string,     -   (q) the vibrational head irrespective of whether or not its         operation is tuned to provide resonance in a body or device         (such as a drill string) directly or indirectly attached to one         or other, or both, of the complementary means, can be operated         with a jack hammer effect,     -   (r) the fluid supply and/or outtake involves or is preferably to         involve an accumulator,     -   (s) the vibrational head is supported by a frame relative to         which the vibrational head has at least in part some degree(s)         of freedom to move,     -   (t) the vibrational head is linked to a frame by articulating         (e.g. dog bones) or other linkages to allow some movement of a         complementary means relative to the frame,     -   (u) the vibrational head is supported by a frame and is buffered         so as not to pass unnecessary shock into the frame (preferably         such buffering including, in conjunction with any optional         suitable linkage or linkages, the use of cushioning gas bags or         the equivalent) (preferably as air bags as opposed to air         springs are utilised),     -   (v) the vibrational head is supported from a frame capable of         being manipulated directly or indirectly to control the         disposition of the vibrational head,     -   (w) the vibrational head is optionally carried or supported         directly or indirectly by a frame which directly or indirectly         [e.g. a carried carriage or slide, or support(s) for the frame         as a carriage or slide] (but not linked to the vibrational head         by any rigid member) has mounted at least part of an endless         drive assembly for the valving arrangement(s) and/or a fluid         motor for use in driving the valving arrangement(s),     -   (x) a carriage or slide, or support(s) for a frame as a carriage         or slide, carries a hydraulic motor and/or drive component (e.g.         to be via a flexible drive) for rotating a drill string and/or a         mandrel therefor, the vibrational head being locatable but with         some freedom(s) to move by said frame,     -   (y) drives and/or motors are to be or are, at least to some         extent, substantially isolated from the vibration(s) of the         vibrational head, (e.g. standoff mounts being provided therefor,         belt drives, etc.).

Reference hereinafter to energising the “piston” includes alternatively and/or as well the energising of the reactive structure of the piston. Likewise reference to “piston grooves” refers also and/or instead to grooves of the piston surrounding structure (irrespective of whether carrying rings and/or seals).

Preferably the apparatus is substantially as hereinafter described but versions (less desired) may have substituted for the second complementary member (or second piston) some other arrangement to provide a driven return of the shuttle in use.

In another aspect the invention consists in a vibrational head assembly suitable for generating an output (e.g. suitable for direct or indirect vibrational input into a structure (e.g. a drill string), or other medium capable of transmitting/absorbing the vibrational input, said assembly having

a frame, and

a vibrational head carrying, carried by, substantially locating and/or substantially being located by the frame,

wherein the vibrational head has at least some freedom(s) to move relative to the frame, and/or vice versa,

and wherein the vibrational head has a shuttle and two components each component with the shuttle defining one of two variable volume chambers, the shuttle being moveable relative to each component under the action of a fluid under pressure being supplied into one variable volume chamber and being released from the other variable volume chamber, and vice versa,

and wherein the vibrational output is not or is not to be directly or indirectly from the frame nor the shuttle,

and wherein it is adapted so that if driving a drill string with the vibrational output each cycle provides a drive in and a drive out of the drill bit carried by the drill string.

This benefits, inter alia, straight line drilling in fractured formations, back reaming and/or drill string life.

In another aspect the invention consists in a vibrational head assembly for generating an output (e.g. for direct or indirect vibrational input into a drill string), said assembly having

a frame,

a vibrational head carrying, carried by, substantially locating or substantially being located by the frame,

wherein the vibrational head has a spaced pair of parts or components (“complementary members” whether unitary or otherwise) each associating with a shuttle,

and wherein the shuttle has a valving arrangement whereby a variable volume chamber can be defined by each complementary member with the shuttle as a consequence of shuttle position relative to each complementary member, such that when one chamber is at its allowed maximum volume the other is at its allowed minimum volume, and vice versa,

and wherein the shuttle is caused to move from rest with respect to said complementary members thereafter to shuttle by fluid applied into a first chamber whilst being released from the second, by fluid applied into the second chamber whilst being released from first, and so forth,

and wherein

-   -   (a) the first and second complementary members and shuttle         relate to each other on the same axis,     -   (b) the output is (directly or indirectly) from one or other (or         both) complementary member(s) rather than the shuttle,     -   (c) the vibrational head when used for vibrational drilling (or         some equivalent) has the shuttle independent of the drill string         or equivalent means to be vibrated,     -   (d) there is no drill rod nor rod extension through the shuttle         or vibrational head (thereby to enable, if desired, multiple         vibrational heads to be used in delivering power to a drill         string or other means to be subjected to vibration),     -   (e) the first and second complementary members are pistons or         include pistons,     -   (f) the first and second complementary members may include         pistons provided with circumferential or peripheral grooves but         may or may not carrying piston rings and/or seals, [and/or vice         versa e.g. cylinder has the grooves],     -   (g) the valving arrangement in each instance involves a rotary         valve member having ports to open or close a fixed port or fixed         ports to the chamber,     -   (h) each (or a common) valving arrangement includes a rotary         valve member which includes an axial passageway to allow fluid         outtake or supply (preferably outtake),     -   (i) each valving arrangement includes a rotary valving member,         such rotary valving members being operated on a common         rotational axis and out of phase one with the other,     -   (j) each valving arrangement is driven independently of the         fluid supply and fluid outtake,     -   (k) it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the         shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a         control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the         pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from         the valving arrangement,     -   (l) the valving arrangement is proximate to the chamber thereby         to optimise to a minimal distance between valving by the valving         arrangement and the action of fluid being introduced into the         proximate chamber, (i.e. to enable a shorter time for the shock         wave of the input fluid to energise the piston (preferably to         enable operation at higher frequency when desired, to enable         resonance at shorter stroke or amplitude, to provide higher         efficiency and/or provide greater flexibility and versatility)),     -   (m) the outtake of fluid from a chamber is not used to power the         movement of the shuttle,     -   (n) the outtakes of fluid is (are) to substantially ambient         pressures prior to, if desired, such fluid being made available         (e.g. by pumping) for a return to the vibrational head,     -   (o) the fluid is primarily a liquid but may include some         entrained gas (e.g. air) so as to confer some cushioning effect         in the chamber,     -   (p) the shuttle can be caused to move even if there is no         movement of one or other or both of said first and second         complementary means e.g. as is the case if attached to a bound         drill string,     -   (q) the vibrational head irrespective of whether or not its         operation is tuned to provide resonance in a body or device         (such as a drill string) directly or indirectly attached to one         or other, or both, of the complementary means, can be operated         with a jack hammer effect,     -   (r) the fluid supply and/or outtake involves or is preferably to         involve an accumulator,     -   (s) the vibrational head is supported by a frame relative to         which the vibrational head has at least in part some degree(s)         of freedom to move,     -   (t) the vibrational head is linked to a frame by articulating         (e.g. dog bones) or other linkages to allow some movement of a         complementary means relative to the frame,     -   (u) the vibrational head is supported by a frame and is buffered         so as not to pass unnecessary shock into the frame (preferably         such buffering including, in conjunction with any optional         suitable linkage or linkages, the use of cushioning gas bags or         the equivalent) (preferably as air bags as opposed to air         springs are utilised),     -   (v) the vibrational head is supported from a frame capable of         being manipulated directly or indirectly to control the         disposition of the vibrational head,     -   (w) the vibrational head is optionally carried directly or         indirectly by a frame which directly or indirectly [e.g. a         carried carriage or slide, or support(s) for the frame as a         carriage or slide] (but not linked to the vibrational head by         any rigid member) has mounted at least part of an endless drive         assembly for the valving arrangement(s) and/or a fluid motor for         use in driving the valving arrangement(s),     -   (x) a carriage or slide, or support(s) for a frame as a carriage         or slide, carries a hydraulic motor and/or drive component (e.g.         to be via a flexible drive) for rotating a drill string and/or a         mandrel therefor, the vibrational head being locatable but with         some freedom(s) to move by said frame,     -   (y) drives and/or motors are to be or are, at least to some         extent, substantially isolated from the vibration(s) of the         vibrational head, standoff mounts being provided therefore.

Preferably the apparatus is substantially as hereinafter described but versions (less desired) may have substituted for the second complementary member (or second piston) some other arrangement to provide a driven return of the shuttle in use.

In another aspect the invention consists in a vibrational head assembly for generating an output (e.g. for direct or indirect vibrational input into a drill string), said assembly having

a frame,

as a vibrational head carrying, carried by and/or substantially locating the frame,

wherein the vibrational head has (preferably at least within bounds) at least some freedom(s) to move relative to the frame, and/or vice versa,

and wherein at least some of the mass (“the shuttle”) of the vibrational head (inclusive of at least some of said fluid) under the action of valves and a pressurised fluid supply or pressurised fluid supplies for opposing variable volume chambers defined in part in each case by the shuttle, in use, is able to shuttle with respect to two other masses of the vibration head each of which defines in part a said chamber,

and wherein it is from at least one of these other masses from which there is to be the vibrational output.

In another aspect the invention consists in a vibrational head for generating an output (e.g. for direct or indirect vibrational input into a drill string),

and wherein the vibrational head has at least one piston in a complementary cylinder moveable relative to each other to define a variable volume chamber under the action of a fluid under pressure supplied into or released from the variable volume chamber,

and wherein one, some or all of the following features are present:

-   -   the vibrational head when used for vibrational drilling (or some         equivalent) has the shuttle independent of the drill string or         equivalent means to be vibrated),     -   there is no drill rod nor rod extension through the shuttle or         vibrational head (thereby to enable, if desired, multiple         vibrational heads to be used in delivering power to a drill         string or other means to be subjected to vibration),     -   the outtake of fluid from a chamber is not used to power the         movement of the shuttle,     -   the outtakes of fluid is (are) to substantially ambient         pressures prior to, if desired, such fluid being made available         (e.g. by pumping) for a return to the vibrational head,     -   the fluid is primarily a liquid but may include some entrained         gas (e.g. air) so as to confer some cushioning effect in the         chamber,     -   the vibrational head irrespective of whether or not its         operation is tuned to provide resonance in a body or device         (such as a drill string) directly or indirectly attached to one         or other, or both, of the complementary means,     -   can be operated with a jack hammer effect,     -   the fluid supply and/or outtake involves or is to involve an         accumulator,     -   the vibrational head is supported by a frame relative to which         the vibrational head has at least in part some degree(s) of         freedom to move,     -   the vibrational head is linked to a frame by articulating (e.g.         dog bones) or other linkages to allow some movement of a         complementary means relative to the frame,     -   the vibrational head is supported by a frame and is buffered so         as not to pass unnecessary shock into the frame (preferably such         buffering including, in conjunction with any optional suitable         linkage or linkages, the use of cushioning gas bags or the         equivalent) (preferably as air bags as opposed to air springs         are utilised),     -   the vibrational head is supported from a frame capable of being         manipulated directly or indirectly to control the disposition of         the vibrational head,     -   the vibrational head is carried directly or indirectly by a         frame which directly or indirectly [e.g. a carried carriage or         slide, or support(s) for the frame as a carriage or slide] (but         not linked to the vibrational head by any rigid member) has         mounted at least part of an endless drive assembly for the         valving arrangement(s) and/or a fluid motor for use in driving         the valving arrangement(s),     -   a carriage or slide, or support(s) for a frame as a carriage or         slide, carries a hydraulic motor and/or drive component (e.g. to         be via a flexible drive) for rotating a drill string and/or a         mandrel therefor, the vibrational head being locatable but with         some freedom(s) to move by said frame,     -   drives and/or motors are to be or are, at least to some extent,         substantially isolated from the vibration(s) of the vibrational         head, standoff mounts being provided therefore.

The present invention also consists in a vibrational head of or suitable for a vibrational head assembly of any of aforementioned kinds i.e. without a said frame. Whilst preferably the apparatus has a frame to hold the complementary members in association with the shuttle, that frame need not be a carriage on another frame e.g. the frame can be crane suspended.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in the use of a vibrational head or a vibrational head assembly of the present invention for the purpose of providing a vibrational input into a body, media or device.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of drilling which involves the operative use of a vibrational head or vibrational head assembly in accordance with the present invention.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in, in combination, a drill string and a vibrational head assembly (or components therefor) and (optionally) related linkages, hydraulic supplies etc.

Optionally a single rotary valving unit (preferably with a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to a shuttle stroke axis) can be provided.

Such an embodiment is (as in FIG. 10 hereof) is more prone to bogging down and restart difficulties. It is less preferred as shuttling can be hard to achieve at low input pressures.

Preferably such a rotary valve member has a single radiused array of openings, such openings allowing the opening of an inlet port and the regions of the valving member between such openings closing the inlet ports.

Preferably the effect for each inlet port is to “open”, “close” and “open” the inlet port with sequential openings whilst the out of phase other inlet port is respectively “closed”, “opened” and “closed” by the respective diametrically opposed closing regions of the valve member and the opening sandwiched thereby. However overlap can be allowed to some extent.

In another aspect the present invention consists in vibrational apparatus comprising or including

a piston,

a chamber assembly defining a chamber in which the piston is adapted to shuttle between stroke limits, said chamber having a chamber end region at and/or beyond each stroke limit of the piston, there being an inlet port into and an outlet port out of each chamber end region,

a fluid supply assembly associated with said chamber assembly capable of supplying a pressurised fluid or any pressurised fluid it may receive in use to the inlet ports of the chamber,

a fluid collection assembly associated with said chamber assembly to collect fluid from the outlet ports (and preferably capable of supplying that collected fluid for reuse via a said source of pressurised fluid),

a first rotary valve capable of an out of phase allowing or disallowing of fluid movement from the fluid supply assembly into each said inlet port by opening or closing same,

a second rotary valve capable of an out of phase disallowing or allowing of fluid movement from the chamber out of each said outlet port by closing or opening same,

a first drive to rotate the first rotary valve,

a second drive to rotate the second rotary valve, and

a timing link between the first and second drives such that, for each chamber end region, an inlet port will generally be open when its associated outlet port is closed, and vice versa, and such that, each state of the opening and closing of each end chamber end region is generally out of phase with the condition of the other,

wherein in use, there is or will be a vibrational output via the first assembly, the second assembly and/or an output member of or carried by the piston as a consequence of rapid piston shuttling within the chamber.

The term “drive” includes a dedicated or undedicated drive and can amount to no more than some transmission element or assembly capable of being driven (e.g. by a hydraulic or electric motor) [directly or indirectly] thereby to rotate the rotary valve(s).

The “timing link” can be and preferably is a driving link such that the drive into one drive in turn drives the other.

Preferably preferments are as previously stated.

Preferably the timing link between the drives is a belt or chain linking pulleys, sprockets, or the like.

Preferably the vibrational apparatus is adapted to be linked into a remote hydraulic circuit to supply said pressurised fluid.

Preferably the vibrational apparatus is capable of being “tuned” so as to provide desired amplitudes of movement and/or resonance outputs reliant upon a control of the pressure and/or volume of the pressurised fluid being supplied and/or a control of the timing link and drives.

Preferably the stroke axis is rectilinear.

Preferably the piston has two journaled extensions (not necessarily required to rotate but capable of sliding in the bearing or other surround).

Preferably one extension being the output member.

Preferably the inlet ports are laterally of the chamber with respect to the stroke axis.

Preferably the outlet ports are laterally of the chamber with respect to the stroke axis.

Preferably the piston (irrespective of whichever aspect of the present invention is involved) carries an output member.

In some forms of the present invention the output member can be an extension of the piston or piston assembly such that the piston proper is rectilinearly guided but there is at least one protruding end of that assembly to provide the output.

In some forms of the present invention such protruding end(s) and/or indeed the piston itself can act as a conduit for a quite separate fluid supply, e.g. it may be desirable to duct a gas, liquid or other material down and/or up from the drill string with which the output member might be associated in use, such fluids being kept distinct from the operating fluid of the vibrational apparatus.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of vibrating a structure, assembly or member which involves associating vibrational apparatus of the present invention therewith and operating that vibrational apparatus so as to induce vibration thereof.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in pile driving, boring and/or drilling involving the use of vibrational apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention also consists in pile driving and/or drilling or boring assemblies of any suitable kind which includes vibrational apparatus of the present invention, e.g. can include a drill head, a drill string and a vehicle or other prime mover to supply a hydraulic fluid as the working fluid.

As used herein “shuttle” and “piston” have the broadest meanings envisaged herein with respect to what moves and what does not, etc.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or, where the context allows, both.

As used herein the term “comprises” or “comprising” can mean “includes” or “including”.

As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun can mean both the singular and plural versions of that noun.

As used herein the term “stroke limit of the piston” can refer to limits of a rectilinear stroke or any curved stroke (e.g. can include a stroke of a piston that swings about a pivot axis or other support, whether fixed or moving).

Reference herein to “out of phase” in respect of the allowing or disallowing of fluid movement from the fluid supply assembly(s) means substantially registering an opening of the rotary valve(s) to allow entrance of fluid into one end region whilst the other end region has its inlet port substantially closed by the or a rotary valve(s).

Reference herein to “out of phase” with respect to the inlet and outlet ports of the same chamber end region refers preferably, but not necessarily so, to the inlet port being closed by the or a rotary valve(s) whilst the outlet port is open.

The term “out of phase”, in any of its defined forms, is inclusive of both no overlap (i.e. no partial opening with partial closing) and some overlap.

As used herein the term “rapid” with respect to piston shuttling within the chamber refers to any speed of operation of the shuttle that will provide an output vibration of use to the application at hand and, in the case of “sonic drilling or boring”, includes at least several cycles per second. By way of example, and without limitation, the cycles/sec are preferably above 20 cycles/sec. Many hundreds of cycles/second are envisaged, e.g. up to, for example, one or several thousand cycles/second. Vibrational apparatus of the present invention operating with, for example, a hydraulic liquid as the fluid, at for example, about 200 bar (as is common for hydraulic fluid of excavators) can operate the shuttle at about 200 cycles/second.

Preferably the rapid cycling envisaged is from 20 to 500 cycles/second.

As used herein “fluid” includes a liquid (such as a hydraulic liquid—usually an oil but not necessarily so), a gas (for example, nitrogen or air) and, or mixtures of liquids and air or liquids and particulate solids or gas and particulate solids or any other suitable combination, e.g. emulsions of different liquids, mixtures of gases, etc.

The term “head” or “headed” in respect of any cylinder or chamber envisages a chamber closed by the stationary and/or movable “piston” irrespective of whether or not valving is via any one or more of a head, the cylinder and the piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional cutaway (the top complementary member or piston not being shown) of a preferred vibration head in accordance with the present invention having rotary valve members as part of the valving and timing arrangement for each chamber and having them aligned axially,

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing at the centre line the device cutaway by the quarter sector as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 shown in elevation,

FIG. 4 is the end view AA of the apparatus of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a section of the vibrational head shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, such section being along the centre line yet showing the device in elevation,

FIG. 6 shows a frame and ancillary apparatus assembly in accordance with the invention, there being shown an outtake mandrel for connection into the body to be vibrated by the first complementary means or directly from the first complementary means (e.g. for powering by way of example a drill string).

FIG. 7 is for an opposed piston variant (i.e. having complementary variable volume chambers) a timeline against shuttle movement under the two scenarios (A) FIG. 8′, FIG. 9′, and so forth cycling and (A) FIG. 8, FIG. 8A, FIG. 9, FIG. 9A, FIG. 8, FIG. 8A, FIG. 9, 9A, FIG. 8, and so forth cycling,

FIG. 8′ is a flow diagram of the apparatus shuttling to the right,

FIG. 9′ is a flow diagram of the apparatus shuttling to the left,

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram as in FIG. 8′,

FIG. 8A is a flow diagram where oil feed pressures momentarily match and reliance is placed on an accumulator in the oil system (not shown), but where the shuttle movement is a momentary precursor to the condition of FIG. 9,

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram as in FIG. 9′, and

FIG. 9A is a flow diagram as in FIG. 8A also where reliance is placed on an accumulator (the same or different—preferably different) but where the shuttle movement is a momentary precursor to the condition of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded cut away drawing of a less preferred embodiment, this embodiment having a single rotary valve adapted to control the opening and closure of inlet ports but having an always open outlet port structure but of lesser opening than the inlet ports when open,

FIG. 11 is a form of the present invention having two rotary valves, one for the inlet port set and one for the outlet port set thereby not requiring any differential in size of the inlet and outlet ports,

FIG. 12 shows another broken away view of the embodiment of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 shows how in one other embodiment but relying on the mechanism typified by FIG. 11, there can be a sprocket or other drive of each rotary valve timed relative to each other by a timing belt or belts and/or an idle shaft such that input by, for example, an electric or hydraulic motor as shown has the capability of controlling the speed of rotation of both rotary valves and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of preferred apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred form of the present invention there are two variable volume chambers and each operates in an out of phase manner with respect to the other such that there is a positive powering of each chamber to a larger volume under the valve controlled pressure and volume of supplied fluid thereby avoiding the need for outtakes of the fluids to provide any direct drive to diminish the volume of that same chamber otherwise than from an expanding effect on the other variable volume chamber. Preferably in use neither chamber is ever to be devoid of liquid/fluid therein.

In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 1,

1 denotes a piston assembly,

2 denotes a stationary valve block assy,

3 denotes an O-Ring

4 denotes a cap screw

5 denotes a bearing block

6 denotes a cap screw

7 denotes a cap screw

8 denotes a top center block

9 denotes a bottom center block,

10 denotes a nut,

11 denotes a washer

12 denotes a valve shaft

13 denotes a spherical roller thrust bearing

14 denotes a single lip seal

15 denotes a synchronous drive pulley

16 denotes a taper lock bush

17 denotes an O-ring

18 denotes an O-ring

19 denotes a valve shaft bush housing assy

20 denotes a stationary valve block spacer

21 denotes a cap screw

22 denotes a valve shaft bush assy

23 denotes a cap screw

24 denotes a piston seal rim

25 denotes a bearing block seal rim

26 denotes a tire

27 denotes a bearing cage

28 denotes an O-ring, and

29 denotes a plastic piston spacer.

With reference to the arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 it can be seen that there is a first variable volume chamber 30 and a second variable volume chamber 31 and whilst a tire like flexible connection 32 and 33 respectively links each piston including part 34 and 35 with the shuttle 36, the amplitude of movement envisaged is relatively small during most operations. Preferably they range from a fraction of a millimetre to several centimetres but could be more the larger the vibrational head is. The frequency can be from a few Hertz to thousands.

Each chamber is bounded by the piston part of its component 34 or 35 which preferably each includes peripheral pressure drop grooves with and/or without piston rings and/or seals. As can be seen each stationary valve block 37 or 38 is ported and coacts with a rotating valve member or rotating valve shaft 39 and 40 respectively to either allow fluid into or fluid from its proximate variable volume chamber 30 or 31.

Axially within each rotating valve member 39 is a passageway which ports radially therefrom which is used preferably for the outtake of fluid back to a collection chamber form whence it can be returned (e.g. by pumping) as shown in FIG. 5. The oil inlet lines are shown supply via passageways to the valving arrangement exteriorly of the rotating valving member 39 or 40.

A separate fluid supply (not shown in FIG. 5) is utilised for a hydraulic motor 41 which is to operate via the member 42 and endless drive belt or the equivalent 43 for each of rotating valve members 39 and 40. Such a hydraulic motor receives a fluid supply preferably provided separately from the volume of fluid being supplied for the purpose of energising the sonic head insofar as the shuttle movement is concerned.

As can be seen, preferably the arrangement which includes 41, 42 and 43, is on a slide 44 relative to a frame 45 which directly or indirectly supports the vibration head. The frame 45 itself can be arranged as a slidable carriage on a support rail or other structure 46 such that preferably it operates relative thereto within limits.

If desired the slide 44 and the rail or other structure 46 can be linked.

Alternatively the frame 45 can be suspended from, for example, a crane.

Shown in FIG. 6 is the vibrational head having a drill string mandrel or the equivalent 47 adapted to be rotated by an endless drive belt/chain or the equivalent 48 driven by a hydraulic motor 49 (separate hydraulic feed again). Optional rotation of the mandrel 47 will rotate or manoeuvre a drill string attached thereto whilst the mandrel or the equivalent 47 is vibratable (directly or indirectly) under the action of the proximate piston or complementary means of the vibrational head.

Such a proximate piston, piston assembly, or complementary means is preferably supported so as to be moveable at least in a longitudinal sense to some extent relative to the frame 45 and for this purpose some guided linkages are preferably provided. For example, links 50 and 51 on either side of the vibrational head can link by a pivot 52 or 53 to the vibrational head and by 54 and 55 to the frame 45. At the same time limits of movement can be imposed by compression springs 56 and 57 (or air bags) in conjunction preferably with airbags 58 and 59 which provide a cushioning or damping effect between the vibrational head and the frame 45 and in turn the carriages or supports 44 and 46.

It can be seen therefore that the linkages allow some semblance of rotation of the dog bone links whilst at the same time allowing some axial displacement of the vibrational head as a whole, yet the shuttle 36 is free of direct contact with the frame and/or the slides or carriages 44 and 46 otherwise than as a consequence of the flexible drives and the hose and/or other linkages not shown in the attached drawings.

Preferably all connections (including of hydraulics) are of flexible vibration resistance hoses connected so as to avoid involuntary disconnection.

The vibrational head of the present invention can start with a jackhammer effect even without drill string tuned for resonance. Control thereafter can be (a) speed of rotating valves (rotor) and/or (b) volume of fluid (e.g. oil). This can alter frequency yet still allow power to be added independent of drill string length. The drill string can have torque and pressure placed on it without affecting the shuttling vibrational head shuttle. This affords huge drilling control.

The independent systems for rotor control from that of the shuttle oil supply, the vibrational isolation of the vibrational head save primarily for vibrational shock, the frame within a frame arrangements, and the short distance of oil shock travel bestow significant advantages.

Operation of cycles as in FIGS. 7 to 9A will now be described with apparatus having the flow capabilities previously described. Please appreciate where such a device as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9A is, say, about 1.5 m (it can be any size) long the shuttle movement is of the order of, say, 0.1 mm to 15 mm (the amplitude), the parameters of operation affecting applitude. Preferred forms can be of any scale and the foregoing is representative only. Larger shuttle sizes require larger heads.

The operation can be a direct millisecond range movement as in scenario (A) referred to in respect of FIG. 7 (i.e. FIG. 8′, FIG. 9′, etc) but can instead be scenario (B) where conditions as in FIGS. 8A and 9A each requires an accumulator in the oil circuit to allow the momentary movement required to the following FIG. 9 and FIG. 8 instantaneous condition respectively.

It is envisaged that apparatus in accordance with forms of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 will preferably be driven by a hydraulic system from, for example, by a vehicle or a standing prime mover to which the apparatus can be linked. Preferably also there can be a diversion in the inflow to the apparatus of such pressurised hydraulic fluid through such closure and/or choke valves etc. as may be required separately to provide a hydraulic drive to the or one of the rotary valves (and thus by the timing or synchronising link in turn to the other) as well as separately the charging of the fluid alternately to each chamber end region.

Hydraulic systems typically run at from 3000 to 5000 psi whereas this invention will typically run at below 3000 psi and more preferably in the range under 2000 psi.

Preferably the pressure hoses and/or returns [most preferably the pressure input hoses] are to some extent isolated from the shuttle in order to reduce heat build up.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, less preferred as it may require resonance for effectiveness, the piston 60 has extensions 61 journaled so as to allow axial movement. It matters not if the piston and the journals are circular in cross section and/or whether or not they are allowed to rotate within the chamber defined by the chamber assembly 62.

As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 10 there is a first chamber end region 63 and a second chamber end region 64 each accessible to an inlet port 65 and 66 respectively.

Positioned so as to rotate substantially about an axis normal to the stroke axis of the piston 60 is a rotary valve 66 having on a same radius areas of no opening 67 and openings 68.

As can be seen one of these openings 68 (designated 68A) is opening the pressurised liquid supply chamber 69 of the fluid supply assembly into communication with the chamber end region 63 whilst there is no such access via the second inlet port 66 into the chamber end region 64 owing to the out of phase state, i.e.; there is a region 67 holding the second inlet port 66 closed whilst the first inlet port 65 is open. The vice versa situation onwards will allow alternate charging to each chamber end region.

As shown in FIG. 10 there is a first exhaust or outlet port 70 for the chamber end region 63 and a second outlet port 71 for the chamber end region 64. In a situation as shown in FIG. 10 where these ports are always kept open preferably means (in this case a plate having openings 72 and 73) other than a second rotary valve ensures that the inflow of liquid via an opening 68 and a port 65 or 66 will always be at a greater rate than there is any exhausting out via the corresponding opening 72 or 73 as part of a hydraulic return circuit.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how the fluid supply assembly 74 can be supplied with an infeed of a hydraulic fluid into the chamber 69 with the fluid finding its own way from there into one or other of the chamber end regions 63 and 64 and from thence via the exit ports (70 and 72 in one instance and 71 and 73) in the other instance back to the pumping system of, for example, the vehicle or prime mover with which the apparatus might be linked for return of that same hydraulic liquid back to the chamber 69 or such diversion thereof, as might be considered desirable, to a hydraulic motor for driving the rotary valve 66.

Another form of the present invention is that shown in FIG. 12. This has similar to FIG. 10 a piston 75 and journaled extensions 76 and 77 thereby defining chamber end regions 78 and 79 controllable by, for example, the rotary valve 80 with its openings and non openings similarly arrayed to the manner shown by reference to the embodiment of FIG. 10. The assembly 81 with its chamber 82 is adapted to receive pressurised hydraulic liquid and to selectively allow its movement into first one and then the other of the chamber end regions 79 and 79.

Timed to the rotation of the rotary valve 80 is a rotary valve member 83 which has the role of allowing the exhausting of hydraulic liquid from first one and then the other of the chambers 78 and 79 in an out of phase relationship to that of injection thereby to reciprocate the piston. The exhaust rotary valve 83 preferably rotates at the same speed as the rotary valve 80 and the spacings of its openings is appropriate for each outlet from the chambers 78 and 79.

FIG. 11 best shows the arrangement of these openings with a port 84 being closed by not being aligned with an opening 85 of the input rotary valve 80 whilst an outlet port 85 of that same chamber end region 86 is aligned with an opening 87 to allow outflow into the chamber 88 of the fluid collection assembly 79 from whence it is ducted back via, for example, the excavator, for pumped recycled use.

The arrangement of FIG. 13 shows in a bench test form an electric motor 90 (ideally it would be a hydraulic motor in use) driving directly a drive assembly adapted to rotate a first rotary valve (not shown) whilst a link belt 91 through an idle shaft 92 in turn through a second link belt 93 drives the other rotary valve (not shown) thereby providing the appropriate vibrational movement (caused by reciprocation of the piston) that extends into the journaled output member 94.

In operation therefore appropriate tuning can occur of the vibrations required. If we assume that an vehicle or prime mover has a capability of providing a substantially constant hydraulic flow and pressure into the apparatus of the present invention and there is a division of the flow so that one flow can supply a hydraulic motor to achieve rotary valve rotation whilst the other flow is to charge selectively either side of the piston under the action of the rotary valve timed or synchronised movement, a very simple control regime applies. This is far less complicated with far fewer moving parts and requiring lower tolerances than for any of the prior art procedures previously disclosed.

For example, if the inlet port at one end is shut by its rotary valve then the hydraulic liquid cannot go anywhere and nothing will happen by way of charging into that end region. Contrarily however the same will not be the case at the other end if that is in part or wholly open.

Accordingly when an input rotary valve is turned (spun) the hydraulic oil flows into the piston chamber end region and forces the piston to the end of its stroke. The rotary valve continues to turn and through its timing or synchronism with the other rotary valve, the “spent” hydraulic oil is allowed to release to exhaust. At the same time or subsequently (or both) the first rotary valve diverts oil to the other end of the piston in turn forcing the piston back.

The hydraulic drive through timing belts means that if the rotary valves in unison rotate slowly (say 10 rpm) the piston will shuttle very slowly but if both rotary valves are rotated at say 1000 rpm the piston could be moving, say, at approximately 200 times per second. Thus tuning for the various ground conditions can be achieved by the simple expediency of manipulating the speed of the synchronised rotary valves by the control of the fluid input to the hydraulic motor.

By way of an example the preferred form of the present invention with reference to a drill string vibrating apparatus adapted to attach to a drill string A.

The apparatus howsoever mounted (preferably compliantly suspended) (not shown) has end members C and D that act as a first complementary means and F and H which act as a second complementary means. These complementary means are held in a fixed relationship by the members G. The shuttle E moves back and forward within the physical bounds provided and ideally has a lesser shuttling distance to avoid impacting.

It matters not whether or not the shuttle itself acts as a piston within a bore of a complementary end or vice versa. Nor does it matter if there is no piston in cylinder relationship at all. It is the shuttling that is important howsoever caused.

With reference to FIG. 14 the following is depicted.

(A) Drill string

(B) Rotary joint/drive pulley

(C) End plate

(D) Adjacent member

(E) Shuttle

(F) Adjacent member

(G) Tie rods

(H) End plate

The purpose of the shuttle (E) is to transfer energy onto the adjacent members (D) and (F) in a reciprocal motion. This transfer of energy can be achieved by the injection of oil between the shuttle and its adjacent members with the appropriate timing to cause the shuttle to move in a reciprocal motion, thus to cause the drill string to move in a linear motion in parallel with the shuttle motion thus transferring the energy down the drill string to the bit in the most efficient manner.

The shuttle mass is the key to the transfer of the energy to the adjacent members. The change in direction of travel imparts the energy to the adjacent members. The more mass the shuttle has the greater the energy required to achieve this change in direction and is directly linked to the horse power required and therefore the more energy that can be imparted to the drill bit. The relationship between the mass of the shuttle and the total mass of the drill string being vibrated has to be considered and sized appropriately.

The shuttle action has the advantage of never being in a situation of being stalled by locking or binding of the drill string in the drill hole. The shuttle can deliver full power to the drill string or attachments that may be fitted.

The end plates and tie rods (G) (H) are the link between the adjacent members and these transfer the reciprocating energy to the drill string.

The shuttle action could be powered in different ways.

-   -   (1) The ends of the shuttle could have a piston like arrangement         fitted to operate like a conventional engine with air and fuel         being fed through the adjacent members with valves fitted and         firing alternately to reciprocate in the same way as being fed         by oil.     -   (2) The shuttle could be moved by magnetic means. For example,         ends of the shuttle could have electromagnets or rare earth         magnets fitted in such an arrangement that when the shuttle (E)         was rotated it would pulse of the adjacent members that were         also fitted with magnets fitted in such a way that would cause         the shuttle to reciprocate.     -   (3) A mechanical cam could be fitted to the shuttle (E). This         cam could be held by bearings off the adjacent members (D) and         (F). Driven by preferably hydraulic motors this action would         impart the energy to the adjacent members in the same way.

Hybrids of the foregoing and/or other drives can be used.

The examples above all have a common theme.

-   -   (1) The shuttle preferably never needs to touch the adjacent         members in a physical sense as this would cause a spike shock         wave to be generated. This would damage the drill string joints         and associated down hole equipment.     -   (2) The movement of the shuttle is never dependent on the drill         string or attached equipment, being free to move in relation to         the movement of the shuttle.     -   (3) The shuttle action drives the drill string in both         directions i.e in and out and in doing so allows drill bit         rotation to move with very little drag on the drill bit         carbides. This action is unique to this shuttle driven         drill—also allows for back reaming of holes.         Other Considerations:

No other drill action involving a drifter powers the drill string out of the hole while drilling the hole “IN”. They rely on the bounce of the drill string.

A drifter hits steel on steel and in doing so causes a destructive shock wave through the drill string.

N.B A drifter is the name given to a conventional hydraulic rock drill. 

1. Vibrational apparatus capable of providing a vibrational output, said apparatus comprising or including a shuttle having first and second ends, a first complementary structure associating with the first end of said shuttle, and a second complementary structure associating with the second end of said shuttle, wherein there is a drive or drives to move the shuttle alternately in each shuttling direction so that, in one direction, the shuttle moves away from the first complementary structure and, in the other direction, the shuttle moves away from the second complementary structure, and wherein the output of the vibration is from one or other, or both, of said complementary structures and not directly from the shuttle itself.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second complementary structures are fixed relative to each other insofar as distance is concerned.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is a separate positive drive for the shuttle in each of the two directions.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one drive is selected from a direct mechanical drive through pivot links, a magnetic drive, a hydraulic drive, a pneumatic drive and a combustive drive.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the separate positive drives relies on fluid pressure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the drive type for the shuttle in each of its directions is the same.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shuttling is without solid to solid impact.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said shuttle co-acts at least at one end with its complementary structure so as to provide a cushioning affect by squeezing a fluid.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said cushioning affect is at both ends.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibrational output is from one of the complementary structures.
 11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein there is reliance upon the provision of an externally pressurised fluid as the sole means of empowerment of shuttle movement by being timingly introduced so as to pressurise alternately chambers each defined between a complementary structure and said shuttle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first complementary structure coacts with the shuttle to define a first pressurisable chamber, said a second complementary structure to coact with the shuttle to define a second pressurisable chamber, there is a first valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the first pressurisable chamber, a second valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the second pressurisable chamber, at least one supply of pressurisable fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, to the shuttle whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or not allow fluid entry to the respective chamber, and at least one outtake of fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or disallow fluid egress from its respective chamber; wherein the valving arrangements and shuttle movement relative to the complementary member(s) is such that as the first valving arrangement allows fluid entry to the first chamber thereby to expand both the first chamber and volume of fluid therein, the second valving arrangement allows fluid egress from the second chamber thereby to allow both compression of both the second chamber and the volume of fluid therein, and so forth in an alternating shuttle moving manner.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the valving arrangement in each instance involves a rotary valve member having ports to open or close a fixed port or fixed ports to the chamber,
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each valving arrangement includes a different or the same rotary valve member which includes an axial passageway to allow fluid outtake or supply.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each valving arrangement includes a rotary valving member, such rotary valving members being operated on a common rotational axis and out of phase one with the other.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the timing provided by the valving arrangements can allow some overlap of supply or exhaust flows between the respective chambers.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each valving arrangement is driven independently of the fluid supply and fluid outtake
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a control of the valving arrangements that is independent of at least one of pressure and volume of supply to and outtake of fluid from the valving arrangements.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each valving arrangement is proximate to its chamber thereby to optimise to a small distance between valving by the valving arrangement and the action of fluid being introduced into the proximate chamber.
 20. The apparatus claim 12 wherein the fluid supply or outtake involves an accumulator.
 21. The apparatus of claim 12 when supported by a frame relative to which the vibrational apparatus has at least in part some freedom to move.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the vibrational apparatus is linked to a frame by articulating or other linkages to allow some movement of each complementary structure relative to the frame.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the vibrational apparatus is supported at least in part by gas bags in a frame.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1 when is supported from a frame capable of being manipulated directly or indirectly to control the disposition of the sonic head.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive is, or drives are, or the or any motor thereof, at least to some extent and at least in part, is substantially isolated from the vibration(s) of the head, (e.g. standoff mounts being provided therefor, belt drives, etc.).
 26. The apparatus of claim 12 when carried directly or indirectly by a frame which directly or indirectly has mounted at least part of an endless drive assembly for the valving arrangement(s) and/or a fluid motor for use in driving the valving arrangement(s).
 27. Apparatus for generating a vibrational output, said apparatus comprising or including a shuttle, a first complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a first pressurisable chamber, a second complementary member to coact with the shuttle to define a second pressurisable chamber, a first valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the first pressurisable chamber, a second valving arrangement to control fluid flow into and out of the second pressurisable chamber, one or more supply of pressurisable fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, to the shuttle whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or not allow fluid entry to the respective chamber, one or more outtake of fluid, or adaption(s) therefor, whereby each of the first and second valving arrangements can allow or disallow fluid egress from the respective chamber; wherein the valving arrangements and shuttle movement relative to the complementary member(s) is such that as the first valving arrangement allows fluid entry to the first chamber thereby to expand both the first chamber and volume of fluid therein, the second valving arrangement allows fluid egress from the second chamber thereby to allow both compression of both the second chamber and the volume of fluid therein, and so forth in an alternating shuttle moving manner, and wherein at least one valving arrangement involves a rotary valve member.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one complementary member is or provides a piston for a shuttle provided cylinder.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from the valving arrangement, wherein the valving arrangement is proximate to the chamber thereby to optimise to a minimal distance between valving by the valving arrangement and the action of fluid being introduced into the proximate chamber.
 30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from the valving arrangement, wherein the outtake of fluid from a chamber is not used to power the movement of the shuttle.
 31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from the valving arrangement, wherein the outtakes of fluid is (are) to substantially ambient pressures prior to, if desired, such fluid being made available (e.g. by pumping) for a return to the vibrational head.
 32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein it is possible to regulate amplitude of movement of the shuttle independently of the frequency of shuttling by having a control of the valving arrangement that is independent of the pressure and/or volume of supply to and/or outtake of fluid from the valving arrangement, wherein the fluid is primarily a liquid but may include some entrained gas (e.g. air) so as to confer some cushioning effect in the chamber.
 33. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the output is (directly or indirectly) from one or other (or both) complementary member(s) rather than the shuttle.
 34. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein there is no drill rod nor rod extension through the shuttle or vibrational head (thereby to enable, if desired, multiple vibrational heads to be used in delivering power to a drill string or other means to be subjected to vibration).
 35. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first and second complementary members are or include pistons provided with circumferential or peripheral grooves that each may or may not carrying a piston rings or seal.
 36. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the valving arrangement in each instance involves a rotary valve member having ports to open or close a fixed port or fixed ports to the chamber.
 37. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein each (or a common) valving arrangement includes a rotary valve member which includes an axial passageway to allow fluid outtake or supply.
 38. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein each valving arrangement includes a rotary valving member, such rotary valving members being operated on a common rotational axis and out of phase one with the other.
 39. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein each valving arrangement is driven independently of the fluid supply and fluid outtake.
 40. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the shuttle can be caused to move even if there is no initial movement of one or other or both of said first and second complementary means (e.g. as is the case if attached to a bound drill string).
 41. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the vibrational head, irrespective of whether or not its operation is tuned to provide resonance in a body or device (such as a drill string) directly or indirectly attached to one or other, or both, of the complementary means, can be operated with a jack hammer effect.
 42. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the fluid supply and/or outtake involves an accumulator,
 43. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the vibrational head is supported by a frame relative to which the vibrational head has at least in part some degree(s) of freedom to move,
 44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the vibrational head is linked to the frame by articulating or other linkages to allow some movement of a complementary means relative to the frame.
 45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the vibrational head is supported by a frame and is buffered so as not to pass unnecessary shock into the frame reliant at least in part on gas bag support from the frame.
 46. The apparatus of claim 43 when supported from the frame is capable of being manipulated directly or indirectly to control the disposition of the sonic head.
 47. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the apparatus is a vibrational head a drive is, or drives to both valving arrangements are, or the or any motor thereof, at least to some extent and at least in part is substantially isolated from the vibration(s) of the vibrational head.
 48. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the apparatus as a vibrational head is carried directly or indirectly by a frame which directly or indirectly has mounted at least part of an endless drive assembly for the valving arrangement(s) and/or a fluid motor for use in driving the valving arrangement(s).
 49. A vibrational head assembly suitable for generating an output (e.g. suitable for direct or indirect vibrational input into a structure (e.g. a drill string), or other medium capable of transmitting/absorbing the vibrational input, said assembly having a frame, and a vibrational head carrying, carried by, substantially locating and/or substantially being located by the frame, wherein the vibrational head has at least some freedom(s) to move relative to the frame, and/or vice versa, and wherein the vibrational head has a shuttle and two components each component with the shuttle defining one of two variable volume chambers, the shuttle being moveable relative to each component under the action of a fluid under pressure being supplied into one variable volume chamber and being released from the other variable volume chamber, and vice versa, and wherein the vibrational output is not or is not to be directly or indirectly from the frame nor the shuttle, and wherein it is adapted so that if driving a drill string with the vibrational output each cycle provides a drive in and a drive out of the drill bit carried by the drill string.
 50. A vibrational head assembly for generating an output (e.g. for direct or indirect vibrational input into a drill string), said assembly having a frame, as a vibrational head carrying, carried by and/or substantially locating the frame, wherein the vibrational head has (preferably at least within bounds) at least some freedom(s) to move relative to the frame, and/or vice versa, and wherein at least some of the mass (“the shuttle”) of the vibrational head (inclusive of at least some of said fluid) under the action of valves and a pressurised fluid supply or pressurised fluid supplies for opposing variable volume chambers defined in part in each case by the shuttle, in use, is able to shuttle with respect to two other masses of the vibration head each of which defines in part a said chamber, and wherein it is from at least one of these other masses from which there is to be the vibrational output.
 51. Vibrational apparatus comprising or including a piston, a chamber assembly defining a chamber in which the piston is adapted to shuttle rectilinearly between stroke limits, said chamber having a chamber end region at and/or beyond each stroke limit of the piston, there being an inlet port into and an outlet port out of each chamber end region, a fluid supply assembly associated with said chamber assembly capable of supplying a pressurised fluid or any pressurised fluid it may receive in use to the inlet ports of the chamber, a fluid collection assembly associated with said chamber assembly to collect fluid from the outlet ports (and preferably capable of supplying that collected fluid for reuse via a said source of pressurised fluid), a first rotary valve capable of an out of phase allowing or disallowing of fluid movement from the fluid supply assembly into each said inlet port by opening or closing same, a second rotary valve capable of an out of phase disallowing or allowing of fluid movement from the chamber out of each said outlet port by closing or opening same, a first drive to rotate the first rotary valve, a second drive to rotate the second rotary valve, and a timing link between the first and second drives such that, for each chamber end region, an inlet port will generally be open when its associated outlet port is closed, and vice versa, and such that, each state of the opening and closing of each end chamber end region is generally out of phase with the condition of the other, wherein in use, there is or will be a vibrational output via the first assembly, the second assembly and/or an output member of or carried by the piston as a consequence of rapid piston shuttling within the chamber.
 52. In combination or assembly, (I) a rotatable drill string and (II) apparatus of claim 1 when adapted or adapted to allow vibrational drilling.
 53. The pile driving, boring and/or drilling involving the use of vibrational apparatus in accordance with claim
 1. 54. A method for generating vibrations comprising the steps of providing a vibrational head having a housing from which a vibrational output is to be taken directly or indirectly, and reciprocating a shuttle within the housing by a drive operably acting on the shuttle to vibrate the housing.
 55. A method for drilling by using a vibrational head connectable to a rotatable drill string, the vibrational shuttle having a housing that includes, a shuttle and a drive, operably acting on the the shuttle, comprising the steps of: reciprocating the shuttle within the housing under the action of a drive, and outputting a vibrational output into the drill string directly from or indirectly from the housing rather than the shuttle.
 56. The method as claimed in claim 55 further comprising the steps of: engaging the drill string having a down hole lead assembly to the vibrational head, the engagement not being carried by the shuttle, vibrating and rotating the drill string and its down hole assembly to advance drilling progress, detaching the drill string from the vibrational head, adding to the top of the drill string thereby to extend the drill string, engaging the extended drill string to the vibrational head, the re-engagement not being carried by the shuttle; and vibrating and rotating the extended drill string and its down hole assembly to further advance drilling progress. 